Mackinac Island – Top Attractions
Mackinac Island has many attractions that will pique the interest of people of all ages. Begin walking Mackinac Island’s historic Main Street and then find a nice place to relax at Marquette Park.
For those who love nature, there are famous attractions such as the Sugar Loaf and Arch Rock and plenty of hiking paths that show Mackinac Island’s natural beauty.
If you prefer to learn about history, be sure to visit Fort Mackinac and Fort Holmes, as well as the Post Cemetery.
To fully experience Mackinac Island, one must either bike, hike, or take a carriage tour to the interior of the Island. The interior has many unique sights, such as the Sugar Loaf and Skull Cave.
Finally, if you are looking to relax, find a great view of the Mackinac Bridge and read a book or take in a round of golf on one of the Island’s beautiful golf courses.
Mackinac Island - Top Attractions - Table of Contents
Updated: April 28, 2024
- Mackinac Bridge
- Mackinac Island Visitor’s Center
- Main Street
- Market Street
- Fort Mackinac
- Marquette Park
- Arch Rock
- Fort Holmes
- Point Lookout
- Sugar Loaf
- Skull Cave
- St. Anne’s Cemetery
- Post Cemetery
- British Landing
- Grand Hotel Stables
- “Somewhere in Time” Gazebo
- Churches
- Golf Courses
- Lighthouses
- The Haunted Theater
- Related Content
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The Mackinac Bridge
Mackinac Island offers stunning views of the Mackinac Bridge. Some of the best places to photograph the bridge are the Mackinac Island Boardwalk, the top of Fort Mackinac, the grounds of the Grand Hotel, Fort Holmes, the West Bluff, and during the ferry ride to and from the Island. For a spectacular photo, bring your tripod and take a picture of the bridge lit up at night.
If you are visiting over Labor Day, the Mackinac Bridge closes for an annual event called the Mackinac Bridge Walk. For this event, there is a special ferry schedule to get guests from the Island to the mainland so they can walk the Bridge.
Mackinac Island Visitor's Centers
While I hope this page provides you with all of the information needed for a spectacular Mackinac Island vacation, I highly recommend a stop at one of the two visitor’s center. At the visitor’s centers, tourists can check on the dates and times of special events, ask specific questions unique to their trip, and grab maps of the bike and walking routes.
The Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center also has the cleanest public bathrooms on Mackinac Island. This visitor’s center is located directly in front of Marquette Park at the corner of Fort Street and Main Street.
The second visitor’s center is the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. Their kiosk is located on Main Street near the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours.
Main Street
Main Street is the most crowded place on Mackinac Island. Officially beginning at Marquette Park, and ending at Windermere Point, Main Street has hotels, gift shops, boutiques, restaurants, the ferry docks, and fudge. Many tourists (and my hotel locations) unofficially refer Main Street as the area from Mission Point Resort to the end of the Mackinac Boardwalk.
Main Street is also the starting point for the Mackinac Island Carriage Tour and the location of almost all the bicycle rentals. For anyone visiting Mackinac Island for the first time, plan on spending at least a few hours walking up and down Main Street.
Buzz’s Tip: If you are spending the night, walk Main Street in the evening after most of the ferries have departed. It will be much less crowded.
This photo is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
During the winter months, the holiday season is celebrated with a Christmas Tree in the middle of Main Street.
This photo is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Market Street
Market Street is located behind Main Street, and is home to many of the Mackinac Island’s City Buildings including the medical center, courthouse, police station, and post office. In addition to the municipal buildings, Market Street has some hotels, restaurants, and shops as well.
Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac has 13 buildings dedicated to explaining what life was like in the Fort for both soldiers and families. Visitors can not only tour the Fort, but also view daily demonstrations that include everything from firing rifles and cannons to playing the fife.
If you do visit Fort Mackinac, be sure to take some photos of the ferry docks, Marquette Park, and the bridge. Fort Mackinac provides some of the best views of the entire Island.
Admission to visit For Mackinac is as follows:
Adults: $16.25
Children (5-12): $9.75
This photo is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
This photo is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Marquette Park
Marquette Park is the flat grassy area in front of Fort Mackinac. During the times the military occupied Fort Mackinac, Marquette Park served as a vegetable garden. In 1909, it was turned into a public park named after Father Jacques Marquette.
There is no cost to visit Marquette Park. If you are looking for a place to relax during your visit to Mackinac Island I highly recommend spending some time at Marquette Park.
This photo is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Arch Rock
Arch Rock is the most famous physical feature on Mackinac Island and is one of the stops on the Mackinac Island Carriage Tour. Arch Rock can also be reached by walking, bicycling, taxi, or private carriage.
There are two areas to view Arch Rock. The first is from above, which requires going into the interior of the Island or walking the steps from M-185 (Perimeter Road.) It is also possible to view Arch Rock from below by looking up from M-185.
I recommend visiting Arch Rock either early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid crowds. During the most common carriage tour hours (10 am – 2 pm), there may be a line of people waiting to get to the best picture locations.
Next to Arch Rock is a platform that visitors can walk out on and see a great view of M-185 and the shores of Lake Huron.
There is no cost to view Arch Rock, and there are excellent restrooms next to the bike racks.
Fort Holmes
Fort Holmes is the highest point on Mackinac Island and can be reached by following a non-paved path or by climbing 129 steps from the interior of Mackinac Island.
Fort Holmes was initially named Fort George and was constructed by the British. It was later renamed by the US after Major Andrew Holmes who was killed in battle in 1814.
The current structure is a recreation that is historically and visually accurate. When visiting Fort Holmes, be sure to take in the outstanding views from the highest point on Mackinac Island.
There is no cost to visit Fort Holmes.
Point Lookout
Providing a bird’s eye view of the Sugar Loaf, Point Lookout is another one of Mackinac Island’s best viewing points. There are two ways to get to Point Lookout. Either climb the 130+ stairs located directly behind the Sugar Loaf or take the walking path between Fort Holmes and Point Lookout.
Located at the top of Point Lookout are a covered picnic area, garbage can, and a viewing platform. There is no cost to visit Point Lookout.
This photo is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
The Sugar Loaf
Mackinac Island’s second most famous physical feature is the Sugar Loaf. Standing 75 feet tall, the rock dates back to the post-glacial period. Geologists claim that during this era, Lake Algonquin, a vast lake, covered almost all of Mackinac Island. The formation of Sugar Loaf was caused by erosion as it was an island inside Lake Algonquin.
There are some Indigenous American legends about the importance of Sugar Loaf as well. Some of the original inhabitants of Mackinac Island believed that Sugar Loaf was the home of Gitche Manitou, whom they identified as the Great Spirit. Another story claims that Sugar Loaf is the remains of a foolish man who was turned into a giant stone.
Some of the first explorers of Mackinac Island claim that they found parts of the Sugar Loaf filled with human bones and that it also served as an Indigenous American burial ground.
Sugar Loaf is located in the interior of the Island near Fort Holmes and Point Lookout.
Skull Cave
Like the Sugar Loaf, Skull Cave was created during the post-glacial period when Lake Algonquin covered most of Mackinac Island. Skull Cave gets its name based on a story told in the Memoirs of Alexander Henry.
Henry said he went into the cave and realized it was too small to be explored. After breaking some tree branches to serve as bedding, Henry fell asleep. At daybreak, he felt an object under him that was not part of his tree branch bed, and to his horror, he realized that the cave was full of human bones and skulls.
Skull Cave is located in the interior of Mackinac Island. If you take the carriage tour, the tour will pass right by Skull Cave.
St. Anne's Cemetery
Mackinac Island’s original cemetery was located near Main Street. In 1850, the Main Street area was becoming overdeveloped that it was decided to move the cemetery inland. As a result, St. Anne’s was created, and graves were moved.
An interesting side note is that during the creation of the entrance gate, the architect asked for the exact dimensions of the horse-drawn hearse. The gate was built at the precise height of the hearse not taking into consideration that there would be a driver sitting on it. As a result, the road in the picture below goes around the gate instead of through it.
The oldest grave in St. Anne’s is Mary Biddle who died in 1833. St. Anne’s cemetery is the final resting place of Islanders, including recognizable names such as “Murray” or “Doud.”
Post Cemetary
The Post Cemetery is the most interesting and historic cemeteries on Mackinac Island. During early US military history, soldiers were buried in the location that they died instead of being sent home to be buried by their families. As a result, there are 108 fallen soldiers buried on Mackinac Island.
Since the burials date back to the War of 1812, many of the original wooden crosses have long decayed or disappeared. Of the 108 buried in Post Cemetery, only 39 have their names on their tombstones. The rest of the tombstones say “US Soldier” or “Unknown Soldier.” The US Flag at the Post Cemetery is one of only a handful of flags in the US that continually flies at half-mast.
The Mackinac Island Carriage Tour passes by the Post Cemetery but does not stop.
British Landing
During the War of 1812, the British launched a surprise attack on Mackinac Island by arriving on the side of the Island opposite of Fort Mackinac. As a result of this surprise invasion, the US surrendered Fort Mackinac without the firing of a single shot.
British Landing is about halfway around M-185, which is also known as the perimeter road. There are picnic tables, a snack stand, and indoor bathrooms.
Note: If riding the interior of Mackinac Island, be sure to coast the 2.5 miles down British Landing Road. It is all downhill and can be biked without having ever to peddle.
Grand Hotel Stables
Located on Surrey Hill, just past the Grand Hotel, is the Grand Hotel Stables. Visiting the Grand Hotel Stables is like looking back into time. There are around 30 vintage carriages on display as well as 12 horses that call the stables home.
If you are taking the carriage tours, I recommend getting off at the Grand Hotel instead of the Governor’s Summer Residence by the Fort. Then, walk up Surrey Hill for a few minutes, and you will reach the stable.
"Somewhere in Time" Gazebo
Filmed in 1979 and released in 1980, the movie “Somewhere in Time” was filmed on Mackinac Island. The movie has somewhat of a “cult following.” The gazebo from the movie “Somewhere in Time” is located in the interior of Mackinac Island, just past the interior entrance to Fort Mackinac.
Churches
There are multiple churches on Mackinac Island that have routine services and are available for weddings.
Located near the Grand Hotel, the Little Stone Church has a Sunday worship service that takes place at 10:30 am.
St. Anne’s Catholic Church has services Tuesday through Friday at 11:00 am, Saturday at 5:30 pm, and Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 am. The church also provides a free meal every Thursday at 6:00 pm to all of the Island’s workers.
Mission Church was built in 1829 and is Michigan’s oldest surviving church building. Mission Church is technically a museum but can be rented out for weddings and other ceremonies. If you are renting out Mission Church, you must provide your own clergy as the church does not have its own.
Located near Fort Mackinac, the Trinity Church is over 130 years old. The church is available for weddings and vow renewals.
Both St. Anne’s Church and Mission Church are located on Main Street. The Little Stone Church is located on Cadotte Street near the Grand Hotel.
Golf Courses
The Jewel Golf Course is one of the most unique golf courses in the world. Located near the Grand Hotel, golfers are required to take a horse-drawn carriage between the front and back nine holes. The Jewel Golf Course is open to the public and has club rental, golf carts, and pull carts available.
Rates for the Jewel Golf Course are between $33 and $90+. Full rates can be found HERE.
Another unique Golf Course on Mackinac Island is the Greens of Mackinac putting course. Located near Mission Point Resort, the Greens of Mackinac offers 18 greens that play similarly to the greens of any championship course. On Fridays and Saturdays, from dusk until midnight, the Greens of Mackinac offers “Glow Golf.” Everything glows including the balls, flags, tees, and cups.
Rates for the Greens of Mackinac are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children. For Glow Golf rates are $16 for adults and $9.00 for children.
Another option for golf is the Wawashkamo Golf Club. This historic golf course was built in 1898 by Scottish golf-pro Alex Smith and is located near British Landing.
Rates for the Wawashkamo Golf Club are between $35 and $95+. Full rates can be found HERE.
Lighthouses
Two lighthouses are visible from Mackinac Island. The best place to view the lighthouses is Windermere Point.
The Round Island Lighthouse was initially built in 1895 and served as a manned lighthouse until 1947.
In 1947, the Round Island Passage Light was constructed. It serves as an unmanned lighthouse, marking the narrow channel between Round Island and Mackinac Island.
In 1972, a storm almost destroyed the Round Island Lighthouse. As a result, the Round Island Lighthouse became a Michigan historical sight in 1978. The lighthouse was refurbished to prevent additional damage. In 1996, the Round Island Lighthouse was relit.
The Haunted Theater
For a spooky time, visit the Mackinac Island Haunted Theater. Admission is $8.50. The Haunted Theater is located in the center of Main Street.
